The Coaches Roundtable

Episode 125 (Infield) John Rypel

On this episode we are joined by former collegiate, current high school coach, John Rypel. We focus on developing elite infielders. What should young players prioritize — hands, footwork, arm strength, or baseball IQ? We break down drills that build consistency, the importance of pre-pitch preparation, and how communication turns four individuals into one defensive unit. Plus so much more!

Episode 124 Culture (Nick Strong, Dionandre Josenberger, and Jeremy Tayson)

In this episode, two high school coaches and one college coach sit down to talk culture from the ground up—what it looks like, how it’s built, and how it’s protected when things get hard. They dive into leadership inside the locker room, setting standards that players buy into, and the daily behaviors that separate strong programs from dysfunctional ones. The conversation covers how culture evolves at different levels, aligning players and coaches around a shared identity, handling entitlement, and creating accountability without killing joy. They also get real about mistakes they’ve made, lessons learned, and the small details that make a big difference over a long season. Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent, this episode is packed with practical insight on building something that lasts—on and off the field.

Episode 123 (Bo Martino, Jason Immekus, and Jacob Claspille)

In this episode, we sit down with an Angels Coordinator of Pitching Performance & Analysis, a P3 instructor, and a Cincinnati Reds MiLB pitching coach for a deep dive into what actually separates pitchers who reach the big leagues from those who don’t. The conversation breaks down the non-negotiables at the pro level, the subtle markers evaluators and coordinators notice early, and the common red flags that often show up before injury ever hits the IL. The group also challenges the current state of pitching development—what’s working, what’s missing, and what they would change if they could rebuild the system from the ground up. From biomechanics and data to feel, intent, and competitiveness, this episode pulls the curtain back on modern pitching development and the realities of climbing the ladder.

Episode 122 Running Practices (Nick Beckmann, Dave Wiggins. Matt Midkiff)

In this episode, three baseball coaches sit down to break down everything that goes into running an effective practice. From planning and organization to drill selection, tempo, and player engagement, the conversation dives into how practices evolve throughout the season and across different levels of the game. The coaches share what’s worked in their programs, common mistakes they see, and how they balance fundamentals with competition to get the most out of limited practice time. It’s a practical, honest discussion packed with ideas coaches can take straight to the field.

Episode 121 Catching (Ray Ricker and Benji Ries)

In this episode, two coaches sit down to talk all things catcher development. They swap stories and break down how they train catchers day to day—covering receiving, blocking, throwing, and handling a pitching staff. The guys also get into the mental side of catching, leadership behind the plate, and what really matters when developing catchers at different levels. It’s an easygoing conversation packed with practical tips and real coaching experiences for anyone who loves the position.